5 tips to tune up your willpower

If you’ve ever eaten ice cream while standing at the freezer — or hit the snooze alarm instead of getting up to work out — you might have thought, I have no willpower!

You have it — we all do. But sometimes it can seem difficult to find — or appear to have abandoned us completely.

There’s hope, though. You can learn how to boost — and better tap into — this inner strength to help you meet your weight-control goals.
Rev up your resolve
Like a car, willpower hums along best with good fuel, smooth roads and proper maintenance. Keep yours tuned up with these five tips:

1. Don’t run on empty. Willpower uses mental and physical energy. Research shows that exerting it actually causes drops in blood glucose. And being hungry and tired can be a worst-case scenario when it comes to our ability to use willpower. That’s why you’ll have an easier time making good choices if you eat healthy, don’t skip meals — and stay rested.

2. Pave the way for a smooth ride. By planning ahead, you can reduce the number of decisions you face each day. That way you’ll have willpower when you really need it. For example, it might help to:

Make sure you have good choices available. Plan a week’s worth of nutritious meals — and buy all the ingredients in advance. And keep healthy snacks and treats on hand.

Plot out your workout sessions for the week — at the times you’ll be most likely to follow through.*

Find a workout buddy — someone who will be counting on you to show up.

3. Keep your eyes on the road. Staying focused and calm can be a boon to willpower. One way to do this: Practice mindful eating. That means slowing down, savoring every bite — and hitting the brakes before you feel full.

4. Brace yourself for rough patches. Of course, stress can bump self-control right into the ditch. If you’re struggling, try to focus on what you can do. And tell yourself not to worry about things you can’t control.

And don’t go it alone — ask for support from others. When we feel disconnected or lonely, it can be difficult to stay strong and motivated. Share your goals with friends and family. And celebrate your successes with them too!

5. Shift into park. Here’s one final tip for the road: When faced with an unhealthy temptation, stop for a minute. Ask yourself: Does this choice support my health goals?

A little time may be all you need to ride out an impulse. When you do, give yourself credit. When you don’t, give yourself a break. Don’t worry about perfection — be happy with continuing to make progress.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Dr. Lonna Denny’s passion in life is to help people enjoy the best health possible so they can enjoy the best life possible. Opening the San Francisco Spine Pain Relief Center, a Denny Chiropractic Corp. in 2002 gave her the opportunity to help people recover from their injuries and get back to what they enjoy doing. Since then she has helped countless people including many professional athletes, recover from injuries to the spine and extremities using chiropractic Diversified Technique, Active Release Techniques, and the cold laser.